Data logger for processing logistics-related information and cold container including the same

ABSTRACT

Provided is a data logger. A data logger includes a sensor configured to sense a change in a gravitational acceleration of the data logger and a change in a rotation angle of the data logger, and generate a sensing signal, a communication module configured to receive configuration information including a sensing period and threshold values of the data logger from a portable reader, and a microprocessor unit configured to receive the sensing signal from the sensor, receive the sensing period and the threshold values from the communication module, generate sensing values corresponding to the sensing signal, compare the sensing values with the threshold values, determine whether an abnormal state occurs in the data logger according to a result of the comparison, generate and transmit to a server normal log information at each of the sensing period when the abnormal state does not occur in the data logger, and generate and transmit to the server abnormal log information whenever the abnormal state occurs regardless of the sensing period.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of Korea PatentApplication No. 10-2021-0132786 filed on Oct. 7, 2021, the contents ofwhich are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein intheir entirety.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One or more example embodiments relate to a data logger which processeslogistics-related information, and more particularly, to a data loggercapable of determining whether a state of the data logger is a normalstate or an abnormal state according to a result of comparison ofthreshold values and output values of a sensor which senses anacceleration and a rotation angle of the data logger and generating loginformation corresponding to a result of the determination, and a methodof providing a logistics information service using the data logger.

Delivery information of goods provided by a logistics company is linkedto a website of the logistics company to provide a customer with loadingtime, unloading time, address, phone number, etc. by an integratedlogistics center, a regional logistics center, and a regional salesoffice where the goods are received and released, as text or messageinformation (SMS), or a method in which the customer directly checks thedelivery information on the website of the logistics company is mainlyused.

However, the current location of the goods purchased by the customer isidentified only when the goods arrive at a logistics center (forexample, the integrated logistics center or regional logistics center)or each regional sales office and are loaded and unloaded, and it isdifficult to grasp the current location in real time while a logisticsvehicle is moving.

In addition, due to a short shelf life of fresh food, high logisticscosts may be incurred due to inventory and disposal, establishment of alow-temperature logistics center and refrigerated vehicle infrastructureto maintain freshness, and additional costs for packaging materials.

While consumers have been reluctant to purchase fresh food online due todifficulties in checking freshness and delay in delivery, a cold chainsystem (e.g., a system that manages the goods at a low temperature fromreceiving to delivery) has been introduced in fresh food deliveryservices since 2015.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT Patent Document

(Patent Document 1) Korean Patent Application Publication No.10-2005-0070729 (Published on Jul. 7, 2005)

(Patent Document 2) Korean Patent Application Publication No.10-2017-0020155 (Published on Feb. 22, 2017)

(Patent Document 3) Korean Patent Application Publication No.10-2018-0058194 (Published on May 31, 2018)

(Patent Document 4) Korean Patent No. 10-2299328 (Published on Sep. 8,2021)

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Example embodiments provide a data logger capable of determining whethera state of the data logger is a normal state or an abnormal stateaccording to a result of comparison of threshold values and outputvalues of a sensor which senses an acceleration and a rotation angle ofthe data logger and generating log information corresponding to a resultof the determination, and a method of providing a logistics informationservice using the data logger.

According to an aspect, there is provided a data logger including asensor configured to sense a change in a gravitational acceleration ofthe data logger and a change in a rotation angle of the data logger, andgenerate a sensing signal, a communication module configured to receiveconfiguration information including a sensing period and thresholdvalues of the data logger from a portable reader, and a microprocessorunit configured to receive the sensing signal from the sensor, receivethe sensing period and the threshold values from the communicationmodule, generate sensing values corresponding to the sensing signal,compare the sensing values with the threshold values, determine whetheran abnormal state occurs in the data logger according to a result of thecomparison, generate and transmit to a server normal log information ateach of the sensing period when the abnormal state does not occur in thedata logger, and generate and transmit to the server abnormal loginformation whenever the abnormal state occurs regardless of the sensingperiod.

The microprocessor unit may be configured to determine that the datalogger is in a normal state when each of the sensing values is less thaneach of the threshold values, and determine that the data logger is inthe abnormal state when at least one of the sensing values is greaterthan at least one of the threshold values.

The data logger may further include a temperature sensor connected tothe microprocessor unit, a memory device connected to the microprocessorunit and configured to store an electronic product code, and a modem andGPS module connected to the microprocessor unit, and configured toreceive GPS signals and communicate with the server, wherein, at each ofthe sensing period in the normal state, the microprocessor unit may beconfigured to generate first temperature information using thetemperature sensor, generate first location information using the GPSsignals, read the electronic product code stored in the memory device,generate first transmission time information at which the normal loginformation is transmitted to the server, and generate and transmit tothe modem and GPS module, the normal log information including theelectronic product code, the first temperature information, the firstlocation information, and the first transmission time information.

Regardless of the sensing period whenever the abnormal state occurs, themicroprocessor unit may be configured to generate second temperatureinformation using the temperature sensor, generate second locationinformation using the GPS signals, read the electronic product codestored in the memory device, generate second transmission timeinformation at which the abnormal log information is transmitted to theserver, and generate and transmit to the modem and GPS module, theabnormal log information including the electronic product code, thesecond temperature information, the second location information, and thesecond transmission time information.

The communication module may be configured to receive a request signalfrom the portable reader, and the microprocessor unit may be configuredto generate third temperature information using the temperature sensorin response to the request signal, read the electronic product code fromthe memory device in response to the request signal, and transmit thethird temperature information and the electronic product code to thecommunication module in response to the request signal.

The data logger may further include an electronic paper display deviceconnected to the microprocessor unit, wherein the microprocessor unitmay be configured to display time at which the data logger starts tooperate, the sensing period, and a current temperature, a maximumtemperature, and a minimum temperature sensed by the temperature sensoron the electronic paper display device. The maximum temperature may bethe highest temperature among first temperatures sensed by thetemperature sensor at each of the sensing period and second temperaturessensed by the temperature sensor whenever the abnormal state occurs, andthe minimum temperature may be the lowest temperature among the firsttemperatures and the second temperatures.

According to another aspect, there is provided a method of operating adata logger including sensing a change in a gravitational accelerationof the data logger and a change in a rotation angle of the data loggerand generating a sensing signal, by the data logger, receiving, by thedata logger, configuration information including a sensing period andthreshold values of the data logger from a portable reader, receivingthe sensing signal and receiving the configuration information includingthe sensing period and the threshold values, by the data logger,generating sensing values corresponding to the sensing signal, comparingthe sensing values with the threshold values, and determining whether anabnormal state occurs in the data logger according to a result of thecomparison, by the data logger, generating and transmitting to theserver, by the data logger, normal log information at each of thesensing period when the abnormal state does not occur in the datalogger, and when the abnormal state occurs in the data logger,generating and transmitting to the server, by the data logger, abnormallog information whenever the abnormal state occurs regardless of thesensing period.

According to another aspect, there is provided a cold containerincluding a container body, and a data logger including an out-bodyequipped on an outside of the container body and an in-body equipped onan inside of the container body, wherein the out-body includes a sensorconfigured to sense a change in a gravitational acceleration of the datalogger and a change in a rotation angle of the data logger, and generatea sensing signal, a communication module configured to receiveconfiguration information including a sensing period and thresholdvalues of the data logger from a portable reader, and a microprocessorunit. The microprocessor unit is configured to receive the sensingsignal from the sensor, receive the sensing period and the thresholdvalues from the communication module, generate sensing valuescorresponding to the sensing signal, compare the sensing values with thethreshold values to determine whether an abnormal state occurs in thedata logger according to a result of the comparison, generate andtransmit to the server, normal log information at each of the sensingperiod when the abnormal state does not occur in the data logger, andwhen the abnormal state occurs in the data logger, generate and transmitto the server, abnormal log information whenever the abnormal stateoccurs regardless of the sensing period.

According to another aspect, there is provided an application stored ina non-transitory storage medium of a portable reader configured tocontrol operation of a data logger equipped in a cold container, whereinthe application performs activating an information acquisition device ofthe portable reader in response to a first event selection signal, fromthe information acquisition device configured to acquire waybillinformation from a waybill for goods attached to the cold container,receiving the waybill information, receiving a goods deposit typeindicating whether the goods stored in the cold container are to bestored refrigerated or frozen, transmitting a first request signal tothe data logger through a first communication device of the portablereader, when the data logger measures a first internal temperature ofthe cold container in response to the first request signal, receivingfirst temperature information corresponding to the first internaltemperature and an electronic product code of the cold container fromthe data logger, and in response to a first transmission request,generating and transmitting first event log information including thewaybill information, the goods deposit type, the electronic productcode, the first temperature information, and first location informationof the portable reader to a server through a second communication deviceof the portable reader, wherein the first event log information furtherincludes first time information indicating time at which the first eventlog information is transmitted to the server.

According to another aspect, there is provided a method of providinglogistics information using a data logger equipped in a cold containerfor storing goods, a first portable reader, a second portable reader,and a server, including receiving, by the data logger, configurationinformation including a start time and a sensing period of the datalogger, and threshold values of a gravitational acceleration and arotation angle for the data logger from the first portable reader,starting, by the data logger, operation from the start time, comparingoutput values of a sensor of the data logger with the threshold values,and determining whether an abnormal state occurs in the data loggeraccording to a result of the comparison, generating and transmitting tothe server, by the data logger, normal log information at each of thesensing period when the abnormal state does not occur in the datalogger, and generating and transmitting to the server, by the datalogger, abnormal log information whenever the abnormal state occursregardless of the sensing period.

Additional aspects of example embodiments will be set forth in part inthe description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure.

According to example embodiments, a data logger for processinglogistics-related information may determine whether a state of the datalogger is a normal state or an abnormal state according to a result ofcomparison of threshold values and output values of a sensor whichsenses an acceleration and a rotation angle of the data logger andgenerate log information corresponding to a result of the determination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects, features, and advantages of the inventionwill become apparent and more readily appreciated from the followingdescription of example embodiments, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a logistics system including acold container equipped with a data logger according to an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the data logger illustrated inFIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a process in which goods are deliveredfrom a producer to a consumer through the logistics system illustratedin FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is a data flow diagram illustrating an operation of the logisticssystem in a goods packaging operation of a pre-shipment operation of aproducer operation illustrated in FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 5 is a data flow diagram illustrating a process of settingconfiguration information in the data logger equipped in the coldcontainer in the pre-shipment operation of the producer operationillustrated in FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process in which the data loggerillustrated in FIG. 1 transmits log information to a server;

FIG. 7 is a data flow diagram illustrating an operation of the logisticssystem in a shipment operation of the producer operation illustrated inFIG. 3 ;

FIG. 8 is a data flow diagram illustrating an operation of the logisticssystem in an arrival operation of a delivery logistics centerillustrated in FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 9 is a data flow diagram illustrating an operation of the logisticssystem in a shipment operation of the delivery logistics centerillustrated in FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 10 is a data flow diagram illustrating an operation of thelogistics system in a goods handover operation of a consumer operationillustrated in FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment of a graphicaluser interface of an application according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment of a graphicaluser interface of an application for setting configuration informationin the data logger illustrated in FIG. 1 according to an exampleembodiment; and

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment of informationdisplayed on an electronic paper display of the data logger illustratedin FIG. 1 .

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Logistics means physical distribution. Logistics refers to activities ofproperly moving or locating specific goods or services. A deliveryservice refers to a service that delivers goods or products from oneplace to another. Delivery services are carried out by workers andtransportation means.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a logistics system including acold container equipped with a data logger according to an exampleembodiment. Referring to FIG. 1 , a logistics system 100 for providingdelivery service and logistics information includes a portable reader200, goods (also referred to as ‘fresh food’) 300, a cold container 400used to transport the goods 300 contained therein, a server 500, adatabase 510, and a transportation means 600.

The logistics system 100 refers to a system that ensures freshness andquality of the goods 300 by keeping the temperature of a distributionprocess low in distributing the goods 300 for which temperaturemanagement is required, for example, a cold chain or a cold chainsystem.

The portable reader 200 collectively refers to portable readers 200,200-1, 200-2, and 200-3 used by an worker in each operation of logisticsillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 . The portable reader 200 may refer to acommunication terminal.

The portable reader 200 may be a mobile device (e.g., a smartphone)which communicates with a near field communication (NFC) module 443 of adata logger 420, and may be a mobile device (e.g., a PDA (personaldigital assistant) or an EDA (enterprise digital assistant) used by aretailer) which communicates with a radio-frequency identification(RFID) module 447 of the data logger 420.

The data logger 420 refers to a data processing device which processeslogistics-related information (e.g., temperature information and/or loginformation (NLI, ABLI), etc.) described herein. The data logger 420performs a function of a dual-band wireless communication device.

The portable reader 200 includes a processor 215 which executes anapplication 210, an information acquisition device 220, a firstcommunication device 230, and a second communication device 240.

The application 210 performs provision of each graphical user interface(AGUI1˜AGUI4) through which the worker at each operation may select eachevent (e.g., goods packaging, shipment, arrival, goods handover, etc.)illustrated in FIG. 11 , control of activation of the informationacquisition device 220, provision of a GUI (AGI5) to select a goodsdeposit type (e.g., refrigerated or frozen), provision of NFC/RFIDmapping GUI (AGUI6), provision of transmission GUI (AGUI7), provision ofsetting GUI (AGUI8), and provision of GUIs (SGUI1˜SGUI6) for devicesetting (e.g., data logger setting) illustrated in FIG. 12 .

The application 210 combined with hardware to perform the providedfunctions exemplified above is stored in a computer-readable storagemedium and executed by the processor 215.

For example, when the portable reader 200 includes a display devicewhich displays a first page 210-1 and a second page 210-2 under thecontrol of the application 210, it is assumed that when the setting GUI(AGUI8) of the first page 210-1 of FIG. 11 is selected, the second page210-2 including the GUIs (SGUI1˜SGUI6) of FIG. 12 is displayed on thedisplay device.

The worker of a producer operation of FIG. 3 may set configurationinformation (STT, SP, and THV) to be described with reference to FIG. 5to the data logger 420 using the application 210 executed in a firstportable terminal 210-1.

The processor 215 controls operations of each of the devices 220, 230,and 240 according to the control of the application 210. The portablereader 200 may further include a storage medium (also referred to as a‘recording medium’) for storing the application 210 executed by theprocessor 215 (for example, a memory device accessible by the processor215).

The information acquisition device 220 may be a camera or a barcodescanner, and the camera or the barcode scanner may acquire goodsinformation about the goods 300 from a barcode 310 attached to the goods300, and the acquired goods information may be transmitted to theapplication 210.

The first communication device 230 includes an NFC transceiver whichcommunicates with an NFC module 443 included in the data logger 420and/or an RFID transceiver which communicates with an RFID module 447included in the data logger 420. The first communication device 230transmits a request signal (REQj, where j is a natural number) to theNFC module 443 or the RFID module 447, and receives an electronicproduct code (EPC) CODE and/or temperature information (TPk, where k isa natural number) from the NFC module 443 or the RFID module 447.

The second communication device 240 is a transceiver capable of sendingor receiving information to or from the server 500 through a mobilecommunication network, the Internet, or a WiFi communication network.For example, the second communication device 240 may transmit the eventlog information (ELIi, where i is a natural number) generated inoperations S122, S224, S418, S518, and S618 to the server 500.

Because the goods 300 are sensitive to temperature and easilyperishable, it collectively refers to fresh food such as vegetables,fruits, meat, or fish that are distributed in a fresh state. The barcode310 for storing unique information of the goods 300 may be attached tothe goods 300 or the packaging of the goods 300. Examples of the barcode310 include one-dimensional barcodes or two-dimensional barcodes.

The cold container 400 refers to a storage device used to distribute thegoods 300 stored therein while maintaining the goods 300 at a lowtemperature. The cold container 400 includes a container body 401 andthe data logger 420.

The data logger 420 which stores the configuration information andgenerates log information (NLI and ABLI) according to the configurationinformation includes an out-body 420-1 equipped on the outside of thecontainer body 401 and an in-body 420-2 equipped on the inside thecontainer body 401. The container body 401 includes at least one of arefrigerator and a freezer that operate independently of each other.

A waybill 410 may be attached to the outside of the cold container 400equipped with the data logger 420. The waybill 410 may refer to aninstruction for instructing shipment (or release) of the goods 300. Thewaybill 410 may be a one-dimensional barcode or a two-dimensionalbarcode including information of the sender (e.g., name, phone number,and address), information of the recipient (e.g., name, phone number,and address), information of contents (e.g., goods 300), a uniquenumber, and the like.

According to example embodiments, the barcode 310 and/or the waybill 410may be replaced with an NFC tag or an RFID tag. In this case,information stored in the NFC tag or the RFID tag may be read using thefirst communication device 230 of the portable reader 200.

The function and structure of the data logger 420 will be described indetail with reference to FIG. 2 .

The server 500 may transmit or receive information to or from theportable reader 200, and may receive log information (NLI and ABLI)generated in operations S300, S316, and S322 from the data logger 420.

The transportation means 600 refers to a vehicle used to transport thecold container 400 in which the goods 300 are stored.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the data logger illustrated inFIG. 1 .

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 6 , the data logger 420 which transmitsnormal log information (NLI) generated in operation S316 of FIG. 6 orabnormal log information (ABLI) generated in operation S322 to theserver 500 includes the out-body (or main device) 420-1 equipped on theoutside of the container body 401 and the in-body (or sub device) 420-2equipped on the inside of the container body 401.

The out-body 420-1 includes a main controller unit (MCU) 421, a memorydevice 423, an electronic paper display 425, a button 427, a buzzer 429,at least one light source 431, at least one sensor 433, 435, and 437, amodem and GPS module 439, a first antenna 441, an NFC module 443, asecond antenna 445, an RFID module 447, a third antenna 449, and a powersupply (also referred to as a ‘battery’ 451), and the in-body 420-2connected to the MCU 421 of the out-body 420-1 through wires includes atleast one temperature sensor (for example, thermistor) 453 and 455. Thecommunication module includes an NFC module 443 and an RFID module 447.

For example, when the container body 401 includes a first compartment(e.g., a freezer) and a second compartment (e.g., a refrigerator), thefirst temperature sensor 453 is equipped in the first compartment andthe second temperature sensor 455 is equipped in the second compartment.

The MCU 421 may control the overall operation of the data logger 420 andinclude a BLE module for BLE (Bluetooth low energy) communication. TheBLE module may transmit or receive information with the portable reader200, the server 500, or other communication devices according to aprotocol defined in the Bluetooth specification. Here, information meansa signal or data.

The MCU 421 may receive the configuration information (STT, SP, and THV)transmitted through the first communication device 230 after being setby the application 210 through the NFC module 443 or the RFID module447, and may store the configuration information (STT, SP, and THV) inthe memory device 423. The memory device 423 may be an EEPROM(electrically erasable programmable read-only memory). Although thememory device 423 is illustrated inside the MCU 421 in FIG. 2 , thememory device 423 may be disposed outside the MCU 421.

The data logger 420 includes a sensor 437, a communication module 443 or447, and the microprocessor unit 421, and the sensor 437 senses a changein a gravitational acceleration of the data logger 420 and a change in arotation angle of the data logger 420, and generates a sensing signal.

The communication module 443 or 447 receives the configurationinformation (STT, SP, and THV) including a sensing period SP of the datalogger 420 and threshold values THV1 and THV2 from the portable reader200.

The microprocessor unit 421 receives the sensing signal from the sensor437, receives the sensing period (SP) and the threshold values (THV1 andTHV2) from the communication module 443 or 447, generates the sensingvalues (MV) corresponding to the sensing signal, compares the sensingvalues (MV) and threshold values (THV1 and THV2), determines whether anabnormal state occurs in the data logger 420 according to a result ofthe comparison, generates and transmits to the server 500 the normal loginformation (NLI) at each of the sensing period (SP) when the abnormalstate does not occur in the data logger 430, and generates and transmitsto the server 500 the abnormal log information (ABLI) whenever theabnormal state occurs regardless of the sensing period (SP).

The microprocessor unit 421 determines that the data logger 420 is in anormal state when each of the sensing values (MV) is less than each ofthe threshold values (THV1 and THV2), and determines that the datalogger 420 is in the abnormal state when at least one of the sensingvalues (MV) is greater than at least one of the threshold values (THV1and THV2).

The electronic paper display 425 may display the information 425-1illustrated in FIG. 13 according to the operation of the button 427, andthe information 425-1 may be stored in the memory device 423 under thecontrol of the MCU 421. For example, the electronic paper display 425includes an electronic paper panel and a driver IC which drives theelectronic paper panel under the control of the MCU 421.

The MCU 421 transmits information to the electronic paper display 425through a first interface (IF1, for example, serial peripheral interface(SPI)) and controls the operation of the electronic paper display 425.

The button 427 functions as a menu button for selecting information tobe displayed on the electronic paper display 425 or a refresh button forrefreshing information displayed on the electronic paper display 425.Although the button 427 is illustrated inside the electronic paperdisplay 425 in FIG. 2 , the button 427 may be disposed outside theelectronic paper display 425.

The MCU 421 controls the operation of the buzzer 429 using a pulse widthmodulation (PWM) signal transmitted through the sixth interface (IF6).The MCU 421 determines that the internal temperature of the coldcontainer 400 is out of a set temperature range (e.g., the maximumtemperature or the minimum temperature) using the output signal of thetemperature sensor 453 and/or 455, and transmits the buzzer controlsignal corresponding to the PWM signal to the buzzer 429 through thesixth interface (IF6) according to the result of the determination.Accordingly, the worker of the cold container 400 may recognize that theinternal temperature of the cold container 400 is out of the settemperature range through the alarm of the buzzer 429. Here, the workermay be a holder of each portable reader 200, 200-1, 200-2, or 200-3.

The MCU 421 controls the operation (e.g., blinking or color change) ofthe light source 431 through the seventh interface (IF7, for example,general-purpose input/output (GPIO)). For example, the light source 431may operate in synchronization with the operation of the buzzer 429. Thelight source 431 may be a light-emitting diode (LED). For example, thelight source 431 may notify the worker of the cold container 400 of anabnormal situation (for example, the internal temperature of the coldcontainer 400 is out of the set temperature range) of the cold container400 while changing the color of the light source 431.

The MCU 421 may determine an abnormal situation based on the outputsignal of the temperature sensor 453 and/or 455 and push thedetermination result to the smartphone of the worker.

The first sensor 433 is a temperature sensor for sensing ambienttemperature, the second sensor 435 is a humidity sensor for sensingambient humidity, and the third sensor 437 is a sensor which senses achange in gravitational acceleration and a change in rotation angle. Forexample, the third sensor 437 may be a gyroscope.

Signals sensed by the sensors 433, 435, and 437 are transmitted to theMCU 421 through a second interface (IF2, for example, aninter-integrated circuit (IC2)).

The modem and GPS module 439 performs a function of a modem and afunction of a GPS receiver.

Under the control of the MCU 421, the modem and GPS module 439 transmitsthe normal log information (NLI) and the abnormal log information (ABLI)to the server 500 through the first antenna 441, or receives GPS signals(GPSS) transmitted from GPS satellites and transmits them to the MCU421. The MCU 421 generates the normal log information (NLI) or abnormallog information (ABLI) according to the conditions S312, S314, and S320described with reference to FIG. 6 , and uses GPS signals (GPSS) togenerate GPS information (RPIa or RPIb) indicating the location of thedata logger 420.

The MCU 421 may transmit or receive information (NLI, ABLI, and/or GPSS)to or from the modem and GPS module 439 through a third interface (IF3,for example, a universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART)interface).

The modem and GPS module 439 of the data logger 420 equipped in the coldcontainer 400 mounted on the moving transportation means 600 transmitsthe normal log information (NLI) or the abnormal log information (ABLI)to the server 500 according to operation S300 of FIG. 5 . For example,the modem and GPS module 439 transmits the normal log information (NLI)or abnormal log information (ABLI) to the server 500 in real timethrough a low power wide area network (LPWAN). As the normal loginformation (NLI) or the abnormal log information (ABLI) is transmittedto the server 500 through the LPWAN, power consumption of the datalogger 420 is reduced.

The NFC module 443 may transmit or receive information to or from theNFC transceiver included in the first communication device 230 of theportable reader 200 through the second antenna 445 (also referred to as‘high frequency (HF) antenna’ or ‘NFC antenna’). The NFC module 443 mayinclude information to be processed by the NFC module 443 or a memorydevice for storing processed information.

The RFID module 447 may transmit or receive information to or from theRFID transceiver included in the first communication device 230 of theportable reader 200 through the third antenna 449 (also referred to as‘ultra high frequency (UHF) antenna’ or ‘RFID antenna’). The RFID module447 may be a UHF RFID module. The RFID module 447 may includeinformation to be processed by the RFID module 447 or a memory devicethat stores the processed information.

The in-body 453 and 455 of the cold container 400 includes a firsttemperature sensor 453 for sensing the internal temperature of thefreezer and/or a second temperature sensor 455 for sensing the internaltemperature of the refrigerator. Each temperature sensor 453 and 455 maybe a thermistor temperature sensor. According to example embodiments,each of the temperature sensors 453 and 455 may be replaced with asensor which senses both temperature and humidity.

The MCU 421 may transmit or receive information to or from thetemperature sensor 453 and/or 455 through the analog interface IF4and/or IF5. The MCU 421 may include an analog-digital converter thatconverts the analog temperature signal output from the temperaturesensor 453 and/or 455 into a digital temperature signal.

According to example embodiments, when the cold container 400 includesonly the freezer or when the goods 300 are stored only in the freezereven though both the freezer and the refrigerator are included, thefirst temperature sensor 453 may be enabled and the second temperaturesensor 455 may be disabled according to the control of the MCU 421 orthe control of the worker who operates the button 427.

According to example embodiments, when the cold container 400 includesonly the freezer or when the goods 300 are stored only in the freezereven if both the freezer and the refrigerator are included, the MCU 421may receive and process the output signal of the first temperaturesensor 453 and ignore the output signal of the second temperature sensor455 even though received.

According to example embodiments, when the cold container 400 includesonly the refrigerator or when the goods 300 are stored only in therefrigerator even if both the freezer and the refrigerator are included,the first temperature sensor 453 may be disabled and the secondtemperature sensor 455 may be enabled according to the control of theMCU 421 or the control of the worker who operates the button 427.

According to embodiments, when the cold container 400 includes only therefrigerator or when the goods 300 are stored only in the refrigeratoreven if both the freezer and the refrigerator are included, the MCU 421may ignore the output signal of the first temperature sensor 453 eventhough received, and receive and process the output signal of the secondtemperature sensor 455.

The MCU 421 may include a function of checking the voltage of the powersupply 451, and the MCU 421 sensing that the checked voltage is lowerthan the set voltage may transmit an alarm to the buzzer 429, the lightsource 431, and/or the smart phone of the worker.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a process in which goods are deliveredfrom a producer to a consumer through the logistics system illustratedin FIG. 1 . The goods 300 produced by the producer is mounted on thetransportation means 600 and finally delivered to the consumer throughvarious operations (S100 to S600).

The structure of each of the portable readers 200, 200-1, 200-2, and200-3 is assumed to be the same, and each of the portable readers 200,200-1, 200-2, and 200-3 is assumed to have the same application 210installed.

FIG. 4 is a data flow diagram illustrating an operation of the logisticssystem in a goods packaging operation of a pre-shipment operation of theproducer operation illustrated in FIG. 3 . Reference numeral 210-1 ofFIG. 11 is assumed to be a first page provided by the application 210 ofFIG. 1 , reference numeral 210-2 of FIG. 12 is assumed to be a secondpage provided by the application 210 of FIG. 1 , and each of the firstpage 210-1 and the second page 210-2 is assumed to be one page or a setof two pages.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4 and 11 , a first worker is assumed to performpre-shipment operation S100 and shipment operation S200 of the produceroperation using the first portable reader 200-1.

The first worker selects the goods packaging GUI (AGUI1) indicating thefirst event on the first page 210-1 by using the application 210executed in the first portable reader 200-1 (S110).

A first event selection signal is generated according to the selectionof the first event, and the application 210 activates the informationacquisition device 220 in response to the first event selection signal(S112).

When the first worker acquires (e.g., shooting with a camera or scanningwith a barcode scanner) goods information (GI, for example, a barcodecorresponding to the name of the goods) about the goods 300 from thebarcode 310 attached to the goods 300 using the information acquisitiondevice 220, the acquired goods information (GI) is transmitted to theapplication 210.

The first worker selects a goods deposit type (GDT; for example,refrigerated or frozen) in the fifth GUI (AGUI5) of the first page 210-1by using the application 210 executed in the first portable reader 200-1(S116). A goods deposit type (GDT) may be set for each of the first andsecond compartments.

After the goods 300 are stored in the cold container 420, when the firstworker selects the mapping GUI (AGUI6) of the first page 210-1, and tagsor scans the data logger 420 with the first portable reader 200-1(S117), the application 210 generates a first request signal (REQj, j=1)in response to selection of the mapping GUI (AGUI6), and transmits thefirst request signal (REQ1) to the data logger 420 through the firstcommunication device 230.

The MCU 421 receives the first request signal (REQ1) through the NFCmodule 443 or the RFID module 447, reads the electronic product code(CODE) from the memory device 423 in response to the first requestsignal (REQ1) and transmits CODE to the first communication device 230through the NFC module 443 or the RFID module 447 (S118). The electronicproduct code (CODE) includes a header, a company code (EPC manager), agoods code (object class), and a serial number.

After the first portable reader 200-1 receives the electronic productcode (CODE) (S118), when the first worker selects the transmission GUI(AGUI7) of the first page 210-1 (this is also referred to as ‘click’)(S120), the application 210 generates the first location information(PI1) of the first portable reader 200-1 in response to the selection ofthe transmission GUI (AGUI7), generates a first transmission time (TT1)corresponding to time at which the first event log information (ELI1) istransmitted to the server 500, and generates the first event loginformation (ELI1) and transmits the EL1 to the server 500 through thesecond communication device 240 (S122).

Each transmission time (STIa, STIb, and TT1TT5), regardless of whetherthe server 500 actually has received the corresponding log information(NLI, ABLI, and ELli), may mean time (e.g., year, month, day, hour,minute, second) at which each of the devices 420 and 200 has generatedand transmitted to the server 500 the corresponding log information(NLI, ABLI, and ELli).

This is to accurately record the time at which the corresponding loginformation (NLI, ABLI, and ELIi) is generated in the server 500 even ifeach device 420, and 200 fails to transmit the corresponding loginformation (NLI, ABLI, and ELIi) to the server 500 in a timely mannerfor the reason of being in a shadow blind spot of communication.

The first event log information (ELI1) includes goods information (GI),goods deposit type (GDT), electronic product code (CODE), first locationinformation (PI1) of the first portable reader 200-1, first transmissiontime (TT1), and first worker information (W1I). Each worker information(W1I, W2I, or W3I) is login information used when each worker logs in tothe application 210 of the portable reader 200-1, 200-2, or 200-3.

The server 500 receives the first event log information (ELI1) andstores it in the accessible database 510 (S124).

FIG. 5 is a data flow diagram illustrating a process of setting theconfiguration information in the data logger equipped in the coldcontainer in the pre-shipment operation of the producer operationillustrated in FIG. 3 .

When the first worker selects the setting GUI (AGUI8) on the first page210-1 by using the application 210 executed in the first portable reader200-1 (S130), the application 210 activates the second page 210-2 inresponse to the selection of the setting GUI (AGUI8).

The first worker inputs the data logger start time (STT; for example,2021.09.15, 9:00 am) in the data logger start time input window (SGUI2)of the second page 210-2, inputs the data logger sensing period (SP; forexample, 30 minutes) in the data logger sensing period input window(SGUI3), and inputs at least one threshold value (THV) in the thresholdvalue input window (SGUI4) (S132).

The at least one threshold value (THV) includes a first threshold value(THV1) and a second threshold value (THV2). When the third sensor 437 isa sensor which senses gravitational acceleration and a rotation angle,the first threshold value (THV1) is the gravitational acceleration, andthe second threshold value (THV2) is the rotation angle (e.g.,left-right rotation angle based on the moving direction).

When the transportation means 600 mounted with the cold container 400rapidly passes through a speed bump or rapidly rotates in a specificdirection at an intersection, the third sensor 437 senses a change ingravitational acceleration and/or a change in rotation angle applied tothe data logger 420.

After the configuration information (STT, SP, and THV) is input to thesecond page 210-2 (S132), when the first worker selects the setup(SGUI5) of the second page 210-2 and tags or scans the data logger 420with the first portable reader 200-1 (S133), the application 210transmits the configuration information (ST, SP, and THV) to the datalogger 420 through the first communication device 230 (S134).

When the first communication device 230 is an NFC transceiver, the MCU421 receives the configuration information (STT, SP, and THV) throughthe second antenna 445, the NFC module 443, and the second interface(IF2) and stores the configuration information (STT, SP, and THV) in thememory device 423 (S134).

When the first communication device 230 is an RFID transceiver, the MCU421 receives the configuration information (STT, SP, and THV) throughthe third antenna 449, the RFID module 447, and the second interface(IF2) and stores the configuration information (STT, SP, and THV) in thememory device 423 (S134).

The data logger 420 may further include a discrimination circuit 457connected between the antennas 445 and 449 and the communication module443 and 447, the discrimination circuit 457 may determine whether theinput signals (STT, SP, and THV) are signals according to the NFCprotocol or the signals according to the RFID protocol, activate the NFCmodule 443 and deactivate the RFID module 447 when the input signals(STT, SP, and THV) are signals according to the NFC protocol, anddeactivate the NFC module 443 and activate the RFID module 447 when theinput signals (STT, SP, and THV) are signals according to the RFIDprotocol.

For example, when the input signals (STT, SP, and THV) are signalsaccording to the NFC protocol, the discrimination circuit 457 may supplythe output voltage of the power supply 451 to the NFC module 443 and maynot supply to the RFID module 447. Further, when the input signals (STT,SP, and THV) are signals according to the RFID protocol, thediscrimination circuit 457 may not supply the output voltage of thepower supply 451 to the NFC module 443, but to the RFID module 447.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process in which the data loggerillustrated in FIG. 1 transmits log information to a server.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 , after the data logger start time (STT), thedata logger 420 generates the normal log information (NLI) or abnormallog information (ABLI) whenever a set condition (S314 or S320) issatisfied, and transmits to the server 500 through the modem and GPSmodule 439 and the first antenna 441 (S300).

When the measured value (or sensed value, MV) is not greater than thethreshold value (THV) (NO in S320), the normal log information (NLI)generated for each sensing period (SP) includes an electronic productcode (CODE), a temperature information (SEIa) corresponding to theinternal temperature of the cold container 400, the location information(RPIa) of the data logger 420, and a transmission time information(STIa) at which the normal log information (NLI) is transmitted to theserver 500.

However, abnormal log information (ABLI) generated whenever the measuredvalue (MV) is greater than the threshold value (THV) regardless of thesensing period (SP) includes an electronic product code (CODE),temperature information (SEIb) corresponding to the internal temperatureof the cold container 400, location information (RPIb) of the datalogger 420, and transmission time information (STIb) at which abnormallog information (ABLI) is transmitted to the server 500.

The MCU 421 calculates the current time (CT) using a timer (e.g., asoftware timer or a hardware timer). For example, the time of the timermay be synchronized with time information included in GPS signals (GPSS)transmitted from the modem and GPS module 439.

The MCU 421 determines whether the current time (CT) is the data loggerstart time STT (S312). When the current time (CT) is not the data loggerstart time STT (NO in S312), the MCU 421 performs operation S312.

When the current time (CT) is the data logger start time STT (YES inS312), the MCU 421 performs following operations (i to vi) to transmitthe normal log information (NLI) to the server 500 (S316).

(i) Generate first temperature information (SEIa) from a first outputsignal of the temperature sensor 453 and/or 455;

(ii) generate the first location information (RPIa) of the data logger420 by using the first GPS signals (GPSS) output from the modem and theGPS module 439;

(iii) read the electronic product code (CODE) stored in the memorydevice 423;

(iv) generate the first transmission time information (STIa) at whichthe normal log information (NLI) is transmitted to the server 500;

(v) generate the normal log information (NLI) including the electronicproduct code (CODE), the first temperature information (SEIa), the firstlocation information (RPIa), and the first transmission time information(STIa); and

(vi) transmit the normal log information (NLI) to the server 500 throughthe modem and GPS module 439 and the first antenna 441.

The MCU 421 determines whether the current time (CP) is the data loggersensing period (SP) (S314).

Whenever the current time (CP) is the data logger sensing period (SP)(YES in S314, for example, every 30 minutes), the MCU 421 performsoperation S316.

However, when the current time (CP) is not the data logger sensingperiod (SP) (NO in S314), the MCU 421 measures the current value (MV)based on the output signal of the third sensor 437, and compare themeasured current value (MV) and the threshold value (S320).

When the measured current value (MV) is the gravitational acceleration,the MCU 421 compares the measured gravitational acceleration MV with thefirst threshold value (THV1), and when the measured current value (MV)is the rotation angle, the MCU 421 compares the measured rotation angleMV with the second threshold value (THV2).

When the measured current value (MV) is not greater than the thresholdvalue (THV) (NO in S320), the MCU 421 performs operation S314. Forexample, when the measured gravitational acceleration is not greaterthan the first threshold value (THV1) and the measured rotation angle isnot greater than the second threshold value (THV2), the MCU 421 performsoperation S314.

However, when the measured current value (MV) is greater than thethreshold value (THV) (YES in S320), for example, when the measuredgravitational acceleration is greater than the first threshold value(THV1) or the measured rotation angle is greater than the secondthreshold value (THV2), the MCU 421 performs the following operations(a˜f) to transmit the abnormal log information (ABLI) to the server 500even if the current time (CP) is not the data logger sensing period (SP)(S322).

(a) Generate second temperature information (SEIb) from a second outputsignal of the temperature sensor 453 and/or 455;

(b) generate second location information (RPIb) of the data logger 420using the second GPS signals (GPSS) output from the modem and GPS module439;

(c) read the electronic product code (CODE) stored in the memory device423,

(d) generate second transmission time information (STIb) at whichabnormal log information (ABLI) is transmitted to the server 500;

(e) generate abnormal log information (ABLI) including electronicproduct code (CODE), second temperature information (SEIb), secondlocation information (RPIb), and second transmission time information(STIb);

(f) transmit the abnormal log information (ABLI) to the server 500through the modem and GPS module 439 and the first antenna 441.

FIG. 7 is a data flow diagram illustrating the operation of thelogistics system in the shipment operation of the producer operationillustrated in FIG. 3 .

Referring to FIGS. 1, 3, 7, and 11 , the first worker selects theshipment GUI (AGUI2) indicating the second event on the first page 210-1by using the application 210 executed in the first portable reader 200-1(S210).

When the second event selection signal is generated as the second eventis selected, the application 210 activates the information acquisitiondevice 220 in response to the second event selection signal (S212).

When the first worker acquires (e.g., by shooting with a camera orscanning with a barcode scanner) waybill information (TD, for example,barcode) from the waybill 410 attached to the cold container 400 usingthe information acquisition device 220, the acquired waybill information(TD) is transmitted to the application (S214).

The first worker selects a goods deposit type (GDT; for example,refrigerated or frozen) in the fifth GUI (AGUI5) of the first page 210-1by using the application 210 executed in the first portable reader 200-1(S216).

If the goods deposit type (GDT) is selected in operation S116 of FIG. 4, operation S216 may be omitted. However, if the goods deposit type(GDT) is not selected in operation S116 of FIG. 4 , operation S216 needsto be performed.

When the first worker selects the mapping GUI (AGUI6) of the first page210-1 and tags or scans the data logger 420 with the first portablereader 200-1 (S217), the application 210 of the first portable reader200-1 generates and transmits a second request signal (REQj, i=2) to thefirst communication device 230.

The MCU 421 receives the second request signal (REQ2) transmitted fromthe first communication device 230 through the NFC module 443 or theRFID module 447, and finally measures (or calculates) the firsttemperature (TPk, k=1) by using the output signal of the temperaturesensors 453 and/or 455 in response to the second request signal (REQ2)(S218).

When the MCU 421 finally reads the electronic product code (CODE) fromthe memory device 423 in response to the second request signal (REQ2),and transmits the electronic product code (CODE) and the firsttemperature (TP1) to the first communication device 230 of the firstportable reader 200-1 through the NFC module 443 the RFID module 447(S220), the application 210 of the first portable reader 200-1 receivesthe electronic product code (CODE) and the first temperature (TP1)through the first communication device 230 (S220).

When the first worker selects the transmission GUI (AGUI7) of the firstpage 210-1 (S222), the application 210 generates the second locationinformation (PI2) of the first portable reader 200-1 in response to theselection of the transmission GUI (AGUI7), generates a secondtransmission time (TT2) at which the second event log information (ELI2)is transmitted, and generates and transmits to the server 500 the secondevent log information (ELI2) through the second communication device 240of the first portable reader 200-1 (S224).

The second event log information (ELI2) includes waybill information(TD), goods deposit type (GDT), electronic product code (CODE), firsttemperature (TP1), second location information (PI2), secondtransmission time (TT2), and the first worker information (W1I).

The server 500 stores the second event log information ELI2 in theaccessible database 510 (S226).

FIG. 8 is a data flow diagram illustrating the operation of thelogistics system in the arrival operation of a delivery logistics centerillustrated in FIG. 3 .

After the shipment operation S200 of the producer operation iscompleted, the transportation means 600 mounted with the cold container400 arrives at the delivery logistics center through the moving process(S300).

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 8, and 11 , the second worker is assumed toperform arrival operation S400 of FIG. 8 and shipment operation S500 ofFIG. 9 using the second portable reader 200-2.

The second worker selects the arrival GUI (AGUI3) indicating the thirdevent on the first page 210-1 by using the application 210 executed inthe second portable reader 200-2 (S410).

When the second worker selects the mapping GUI (AGUI6) of the first page210-1 and tags or scans the data logger 420 with the first portablereader 200-1 (S411), the application 210 generates and transmits a thirdrequest signal (REQj, j=3) to the first communication device 230 of thesecond portable reader 200-2.

The MCU 421 receives the third request signal (REQ3) output from thefirst communication device 230 of the second portable reader 200-2through the NFC module 443 or the RFID module 447, and finally measures(or calculates) the second temperature (TPk, k=2) using the outputsignals of the temperature sensors 453 and/or 455, in response to thethird request signal (REQ3) (S412).

When the MCU 421 reads the electronic product code (CODE) stored in thememory device 423 in response to the third request signal (REQ3), andtransmits the electronic product code (CODE) and the second temperature(TP2) to the first communication device 230 of the second portablereader 200-2 through the NFC module 443 or the RFID module 447 (S414),the application 210 of the second portable reader 200-2 receives theelectronic product code (CODE) and the second temperature (TP2) throughthe first communication device 230 (S414).

When the second worker selects the transmission GUI (AGUI7) of the firstpage 210-1 (S416), the application 210 of the second portable reader200-2 generates third location information (PI3) of the second portablereader 200-2 in response to the selection of the transmission GUI(AGUI7), generates a third transmission time (TT3) indicating the timeat which the third event log information (ELI3) is transmitted to theserver 500, and generates and transmits to the server 500 the thirdevent log information (ELI3) through the second communication device 240of the second portable reader 200-2 (S418).

The third event log information (ELI3) includes an electronic productcode (CODE), a second temperature (TP2), a third location information(PI3), a third transmission time (TT3), and a second worker information(W2I).

The server 500 receives and stores the third event log information(ELI3) and in the accessible database 510 (S420).

FIG. 9 is a data flow diagram illustrating the operation of thelogistics system in the shipment operation of the delivery logisticscenter illustrated in FIG. 3 .

The second worker selects the shipment GUI (AGUI2) indicating the fourthevent on the first page 210-1 by using the application 210 executed inthe second portable reader 200-2 (S510).

When the second worker selects the mapping GUI (AGUI6) of the first page210-1 and tags or scans the data logger 420 with the second portablereader 200-2 (S511), the application 210 of the second portable reader200-2 generates and transmits a fourth request signal (REQj, j=4) to thefirst communication device 230.

The MCU 421 receives the fourth request signal (REQ4) output from thefirst communication device 230 of the second portable reader 200-2through the NFC module 443 or the RFID module 447, and finally measures(or calculates) the third temperature (TPk, k=3) by using the outputsignal of the temperature sensor 453 and/or 455 in response to thefourth request signal (REQ4) (S512).

When the MCU 421 reads the electronic product code (CODE) stored in thememory device 423 in response to the fourth request signal (REQ4), andtransmits the electronic product code (CODE) and the third temperature(TP3) to the first communication device 230 of the second portablereader 200-2 through the NFC module 443 or the RFID module 447 (S514),the application 210 of the second portable reader 200-2 receives theelectronic product code (CODE) and the third temperature (TP3) throughthe first communication device 230 (S514).

When the second worker selects the transmission GUI (AGUI7) of the firstpage 210-1 (S516), the application 210 generates fourth locationinformation (PI4) of the second portable reader 200-2 in response to theselection of the transmission GUI (AGUI7), generates a fourthtransmission time (TT4) indicating the time at which the fourth eventlog information (ELI4) is transmitted to the server 500, and generatesand transmits to the server 500 the fourth event log information (ELI4)through the second communication device 240 of the second portablereader 200-2 (S518).

The fourth event log information (ELI4) includes an electronic productcode (CODE), a third temperature (TP3), a fourth location information(PI4), a fourth transmission time (TT4), and a second worker information(W2I).

The server 500 stores the fourth event log information (ELI4) in theaccessible database 510 (S520).

FIG. 10 is a data flow diagram illustrating the operation of thelogistics system in the goods handover operation of the consumeroperation illustrated in FIG. 3 .

After the shipment operation S500 of the delivery logistics center iscompleted, the transportation means 600 mounted with the cold container400 is delivered to the consumer through the moving process (S300).

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 9, and 11 , the third worker is assumed toperform goods handover (S600) using the third portable reader 200-3. Theholder of the third portable reader 200-3 is assumed to be a driver ofthe transportation means 600.

The third worker selects the goods handover GUI (AGUI4) indicating thefifth event on the first page 210-1 by using the application 210executed in the third portable reader 200-3 (S610).

When the third worker selects the mapping GUI (AGUI6) of the first page210-1 and tags or scans the data logger 420 with the third portablereader 200-3 (S611), the application 210 of the third portable reader200-3, generates and transmits a fifth request signal (REQj, j=5), tothe first communication device 230 of the third portable reader 200-3.

The MCU 421 receives the fifth request signal (REQ5) output from thefirst communication device 230 of the third portable reader 200-3through the NFC module 443 or the RFID module 447, and finally measures(or calculates) the fourth temperature (TPk, k=4) by using the outputsignal of the temperature sensor 453 and/or 455 in response to the fifthrequest signal (REQ5) (S612).

When the MCU 421 reads the electronic product code (CODE) stored in thememory device 426 in response to the fifth request signal (REQ5), andtransmits the electronic product code (CODE) and the fourth temperature(TP4) to the first communication device 230 of the third portable reader200-3 through the NFC module 443 or the RFID module 447 (S614), theapplication 210 of the third portable reader 200-3 receives theelectronic product code (CODE) and the fourth temperature (TP4) throughthe first communication device 230 (S614).

When the third worker selects the transmission GUI (AGUI7) of the firstpage 210-1 (S616), the application 210 generates fifth locationinformation (PI5) of the third portable reader 200-3 in response to theselection of the transmission GUI (AGUI7), generates a fifthtransmission time (TT5) indicating the time at which the fifth event loginformation (ELI5) is transmitted to the server 500, and generates andtransmits to the server 500 the fifth event log information (ELI5)through the second communication device 240 (S618).

The fifth event log information (ELI5) includes an electronic productcode (CODE), a fourth temperature (TP4), a fifth location information(PI5), a fifth transmission time (TT5), and the third worker information(W3I). Each temperature (TP1˜TP4) means temperature information.

The server 500 receives and stores the fifth event log information(ELI5) in the accessible database 510 (S620).

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment of informationdisplayed on an electronic paper display of the data logger illustratedin FIG. 1 .

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 13 , the information 425-1 displayed onthe electronic paper display 425 includes a unique number of the coldcontainer 400, owner information of the cold container 400, currentdate, data logger start time (STT), data logger sensing period (SP),event type (packaging, shipment, arrival, or goods handover), currenttemperature (T1 and/or T2) inside of the cold container 400, the maximumvalue (T3/T4) and/or the minimum value (T5/T6) of the internaltemperature of the cold container 400, and the current voltage andavailable percentage of the power supply 451.

When the cold container 400 includes a freezer and a refrigerator, T1 isthe current temperature (T1) of the freezer, T2 is the currenttemperature (T2) of the refrigerator, T3 is the maximum temperature ofthe freezer, T4 is the maximum temperature of the refrigerator, T5 isthe minimum temperature of the freezer, and T6 is the minimumtemperature of the refrigerator. Each worker may operate the button 427to display desired information on the electronic paper display 425.

The maximum temperature is the highest temperature among the firsttemperatures sensed by the temperature sensors 453 and/or 455 everysensing period (SP) and the second temperatures sensed by thetemperature sensors 453 and/or 455 whenever the abnormal state occurs,and the minimum temperature is the lowest temperature among the firsttemperatures and the second temperatures. Each temperature (T1˜T6) isstored in the memory device 432 under the control of the MCU 421.

A method of providing logistics information using the data logger 420equipped in the cold container 400 for storing the goods 300, the firstportable reader 200-1, the second portable reader 200-2, and the server500 includes receiving, by the data logger 420, configurationinformation including the start time (STT) and the sensing period (SP)of the data logger, and the threshold values (THV1 and THV2) of thegravitational acceleration and rotation angle for the data logger fromthe first portable reader 200-1, starting, by the data logger 420,operation from the start time (STT), comparing the output values (MV) ofthe sensor 453 and/or 455 of the data logger 420 with the thresholdvalues (THV1 and THV2), and determining whether an abnormal state occursin the data logger 420 according to a result of the comparison,generating and transmitting to the server 500, by the data logger 420,the normal log information (NLI) at each of the sensing period (SP) whenthe abnormal state does not occur in the data logger 420, and generatingand transmitting to the server 500, by the data logger 420, the abnormallog information (ABLI) whenever the abnormal state occurs regardless ofthe sensing period (SP).

The determining of whether the abnormal state occurs is performed by theMCU 421 which determines that the data logger 420 is in the normal statewhen each of the output values (MV) is less than each of the thresholdvalues (THV1 and THV2) (NO in S320), and determines that the data logger420 is in the abnormal state when at least one of the output values (MV)is greater than at least one of the threshold values (THV1 and THV2)(YES in S320).

While this disclosure includes example embodiments, it will be apparentto one of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form anddetails may be made in these example embodiments without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the claims and their equivalents. The exampleembodiments described herein are to be considered in a descriptive senseonly, and not for purposes of limitation. Therefore, the scope of thedisclosure is defined not by the detailed description, but by the claimsand their equivalents, and all variations within the scope of the claimsand their equivalents are to be construed as being included in thedisclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A data logger comprising: a sensor configured tosense a change in a gravitational acceleration of the data logger and achange in a rotation angle of the data logger, and generate a sensingsignal; a communication module configured to receive configurationinformation including a sensing period and threshold values of the datalogger from a portable reader; and a microprocessor unit configured toreceive the sensing signal from the sensor, receive the sensing periodand the threshold values from the communication module, generate sensingvalues corresponding to the sensing signal, compare the sensing valueswith the threshold values, determine whether an abnormal state occurs inthe data logger according to a result of the comparison, generate andtransmit to a server normal log information at each of the sensingperiod when the abnormal state does not occur in the data logger, andgenerate and transmit to the server abnormal log information wheneverthe abnormal state occurs regardless of the sensing period.
 2. The datalogger of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor unit is configured to:determine that the data logger is in a normal state when each of thesensing values is less than each of the threshold values; and determinethat the data logger is in the abnormal state when at least one of thesensing values is greater than at least one of the threshold values. 3.The data logger of claim 2, further comprising: a temperature sensorconnected to the microprocessor unit; a memory device connected to themicroprocessor unit and configured to store an electronic product code;and a modem and GPS module connected to the microprocessor unit, andconfigured to receive GPS signals and communicate with the server,wherein, at each of the sensing period in the normal state, themicroprocessor unit is configured to: generate first temperatureinformation using the temperature sensor; generate first locationinformation using the GPS signals; read the electronic product codestored in the memory device; generate first transmission timeinformation at which the normal log information is transmitted to theserver; and generate and transmit to the modem and GPS module, thenormal log information including the electronic product code, the firsttemperature information, the first location information, and the firsttransmission time information.
 4. The data logger of claim 3, wherein,regardless of the sensing period whenever the abnormal state occurs, themicroprocessor unit is configured to: generate second temperatureinformation using the temperature sensor; generate second locationinformation using the GPS signals; read the electronic product codestored in the memory device; generate second transmission timeinformation at which the abnormal log information is transmitted to theserver; and generate and transmit to the modem and GPS module, theabnormal log information including the electronic product code, thesecond temperature information, the second location information, and thesecond transmission time information.
 5. The data logger of claim 4,wherein the modem and GPS module is configured to transmit the normallog information and the abnormal log information to the server through alow-power wide area network.
 6. The data logger of claim 4, wherein thecommunication module is configured to receive a request signal from theportable reader, and the microprocessor unit is configured to read theelectronic product code from the memory device and transmit theelectronic product code to the communication module in response to therequest signal.
 7. The data logger of claim 4, wherein the communicationmodule is configured to receive a request signal from the portablereader, and the microprocessor unit is configured to: generate thirdtemperature information using the temperature sensor in response to therequest signal; read the electronic product code from the memory devicein response to the request signal; and transmit the third temperatureinformation and the electronic product code to the communication modulein response to the request signal.
 8. The data logger of claim 4,further comprising: an electronic paper display device connected to themicroprocessor unit, wherein the microprocessor unit is configured todisplay time at which the data logger starts to operate, the sensingperiod, and a current temperature, a maximum temperature, and a minimumtemperature sensed by the temperature sensor on the electronic paperdisplay device, and the maximum temperature is the highest temperatureamong first temperatures sensed by the temperature sensor at each of thesensing period and second temperatures sensed by the temperature sensorwhenever the abnormal state occurs, and the minimum temperature is thelowest temperature among the first temperatures and the secondtemperatures.
 9. The data logger of claim 4, wherein the communicationmodule comprises an NFC module and an RFID module, and the data loggerfurther comprises a discrimination circuit configured to activate theNFC module when the configuration information transmitted from theportable reader is configuration information according to an NFCprotocol, and activate the RFID module when the configurationinformation transmitted from the portable reader is configurationinformation according to an RFID protocol.
 10. A method of operating adata logger, the method comprising: sensing a change in a gravitationalacceleration of the data logger and a change in a rotation angle of thedata logger and generating a sensing signal, by the data logger;receiving, by the data logger, configuration information including asensing period and threshold values of the data logger from a portablereader; receiving the sensing signal and receiving the configurationinformation including the sensing period and the threshold values, bythe data logger; generating sensing values corresponding to the sensingsignal, comparing the sensing values with the threshold values, anddetermining whether an abnormal state occurs in the data loggeraccording to a result of the comparison, by the data logger; generatingand transmitting to the server, by the data logger, normal loginformation at each of the sensing period when the abnormal state doesnot occur in the data logger; and when the abnormal state occurs in thedata logger, generating and transmitting to the server, by the datalogger, abnormal log information whenever the abnormal state occursregardless of the sensing period.
 11. The method of claim 10, whereinthe determining of whether the abnormal state occurs comprises:determining that the data logger is in a normal state when each of thesensing values is less than each of the threshold values; anddetermining that the data logger is in the abnormal state when at leastone of the sensing values is greater than at least one of the thresholdvalues.
 12. A cold container comprising: a container body; and a datalogger comprising an out-body equipped on an outside of the containerbody and an in-body equipped on an inside of the container body, whereinthe out-body comprises: a sensor configured to sense a change in agravitational acceleration of the data logger and a change in a rotationangle of the data logger, and generate a sensing signal; a communicationmodule configured to receive configuration information including asensing period and threshold values of the data logger from a portablereader; and a microprocessor unit, and wherein the microprocessor unitis configured to: receive the sensing signal from the sensor; receivethe sensing period and the threshold values from the communicationmodule; generate sensing values corresponding to the sensing signal;compare the sensing values with the threshold values to determinewhether an abnormal state occurs in the data logger according to aresult of the comparison; generate and transmit to the server, normallog information at each of the sensing period when the abnormal statedoes not occur in the data logger; and when the abnormal state occurs inthe data logger, generate and transmit to the server, abnormal loginformation whenever the abnormal state occurs regardless of the sensingperiod.
 13. The cold container of claim 12, wherein the microprocessorunit is configured to: determine that the data logger is in a normalstate when each of the sensing values is less than each of the thresholdvalues; and determine that the data logger is in the abnormal state whenat least one of the sensing values is greater than at least one of thethreshold values.
 14. The cold container of claim 13, wherein thein-body comprises a temperature sensor connected to the microprocessorunit, the out-body further comprises: a memory device connected to themicroprocessor unit and configured to store an electronic product code;and a modem and GPS module connected to the microprocessor unit andconfigured to receive GPS signals and communicate with the server, andat each of the sensing period in the normal state, the microprocessorunit is configured to: generate first temperature information using thetemperature sensor; generate first location information using the GPSsignals; read the electronic product code stored in the memory device;generate first transmission time information at which the normal loginformation is transmitted to the server; and generate and transmit tothe modem and GPS module, the normal log information including theelectronic product code, the first temperature information, the firstlocation information, and the first transmission time information. 15.The cold container of claim 14, wherein, regardless of the sensingperiod whenever the abnormal state occurs, the microprocessor unit isconfigured to: generate second temperature information using thetemperature sensor; generate second location information using the GPSsignals; read the electronic product code stored in the memory device;generate second transmission time information at which the abnormal loginformation is transmitted to the server; and generate and transmit tothe modem and GPS module, the abnormal log information including theelectronic product code, the second temperature information, the secondlocation information, and the second transmission time information. 16.The cold container of claim 15, wherein the modem and GPS module isconfigured to transmit the normal log information and the abnormal loginformation to the server through a low-power wide area network.
 17. Thecold container of claim 15, further comprising: an electronic paperdisplay device connected to the microprocessor unit, wherein themicroprocessor unit is configured to display time at which the datalogger starts to operate, the sensing period, and a current temperature,a maximum temperature, and a minimum temperature sensed by thetemperature sensor on the electronic paper display device, and themaximum temperature is the highest temperature among first temperaturessensed by the temperature sensor at each of the sensing period andsecond temperatures sensed by the temperature sensor whenever theabnormal state occurs, and the minimum temperature is the lowesttemperature among the first temperatures and the second temperatures.18. An application stored in a non-transitory storage medium of aportable reader configured to control an operation of a data loggerequipped in a cold container, wherein the application performs:activating an information acquisition device of the portable reader inresponse to a first event selection signal; from the informationacquisition device configured to acquire waybill information from awaybill for goods attached to the cold container, receiving the waybillinformation; receiving a goods deposit type indicating whether the goodsstored in the cold container are to be stored refrigerated or frozen;transmitting a first request signal to the data logger through a firstcommunication device of the portable reader; when the data loggermeasures a first internal temperature of the cold container in responseto the first request signal, receiving first temperature informationcorresponding to the first internal temperature and an electronicproduct code of the cold container from the data logger; and in responseto a first transmission request, generating and transmitting first eventlog information including the waybill information, the goods deposittype, the electronic product code, the first temperature information,and first location information of the portable reader to a serverthrough a second communication device of the portable reader, whereinthe first event log information further includes first time informationindicating time at which the first event log information is transmittedto the server.
 19. The application of claim 18, wherein the applicationperforms: receiving a second event selection signal; transmitting asecond request signal to the data logger through the first communicationdevice; when the data logger measures a second internal temperature ofthe cold container in response to the second request signal, receivingsecond temperature information corresponding to the second internaltemperature and the electronic product code from the data logger; and inresponse to a second transmission request, generating and transmittingsecond event log information including the electronic product code, thesecond temperature information, and second location information of theportable reader to the server through the second communication device,wherein the second event log information further includes second timeinformation indicating time at which the second event log information istransmitted to the server.
 20. The application of claim 18, wherein theapplication further performs: receiving a start time indicating anoperation start time of the data logger, a sensing period indicatingwhen the data logger generates log information and when to transmit thegenerated log information to the server, and a threshold value of asensor; and in response to a second request signal, transmitting thestart time, the sensing period, and the threshold value to the datalogger, wherein the threshold value is a threshold value of a sensorconfigured to sense a gravitational acceleration and a rotation angle ofthe data logger.